23- kind path

Kind Path.

September 10, 2016.

World Change: World I.

Several days passed. Once again, I was hospitalized. What a stress. I had to give Dakota the address of my house on a piece of paper. I'd rather be there than in a hospital. I even left the number of the trusted taxi I usually take when I'm out until the early hours of the morning. I don't want to go back to that place.

I had to call work. Tomorrow I have a double shift or I'll be fired. What a lovely wake-up.

While I was out of sync, she used her "free" time to decode her part of Faven's letter. It seems she has some clues. Now, I'm taking out all the papers I have in the drawer. Dakota is here, sitting in the chair where Faven used to sit during the singing lessons I gave her. It shocked me when she took that place, but I've already put on enough of a show in front of her.

I leave the bundles of papers on my bed. There are many. A lot. I have to divide them into four sets so we can review them in pairs.

"Well, it wasn't that obvious, huh?" she says.

I don't know how much time passes while we review papers and discard them. Dakota uses the letter we already have as a reference for the handwriting, but among the piles of papers, there are also some letters from Faven. So it may take her longer than me. I know which letters I read.

Just in case, we put all his letters in one bundle. I think an hour passes, or a little more. But finally, we can start discarding only his letters.

I read several of his words and make an effort to calm the knot in my stomach while I do so. I try to keep a clear head to look for clues among these rivers of letters. Maybe we'll find something, but it's also possible that there's nothing and I didn't understand what he meant.

If it's the latter, then I'm an idiot. Because I can't think of another obvious place, or a kind path to paradise, or whatever.

My face blushes when I realize something. Faven was always a big joker. And, come to think of it…

"The kind path is the bed," I mutter. Dakota moves some papers when she hears me. "He always said that a bed is the path to goodness because good things always happen there. The letter must be under the bed."

We have to gather all the papers to start searching again. This, once again, is risking not finding anything. First, we check the gap under my bed. But, beyond the accumulated dust that makes me sneeze, there's nothing else. So, we decide to lift the mattress and right in the center, on top of the bed base, there's a yellow envelope that says "second reason."

"That's it. Now I have no doubts," Dakota asserts. She gestures for me to move my hand. "Take it."

I take the envelope and tear it open. From inside, I take out another envelope that says "for the one I liked the most," but I throw it right where I found it. When I take out the other paper inside, I realize it's just over half a page. I think it's the shortest letter I've ever read from him. Then, Dakota puts the mattress back in place.

"For those who are afraid to speak, and cannot find the right words.

For those who were embarrassed for not finding the correct word.

And above all, for those who didn't have a chance to apologize because time beat them in the race."

"But I've already read this before. I don't understand," I say after reading it aloud.

"There's something else written on the back," she comments.

"Eron, I know you found this. Thank you for not giving up. What you read first is for Breaker.

You may have already deciphered the letter, but if you still don't know who Breaker is, go for the third reason. It's in the house of the person whose name starts with T and doesn't like delivery. There you'll have a clear answer.

Again, I assume you'll be together in this. Don't work alone, please.

I'm sorry. I can't take risks. I told you to be cautious. Keep doing so.

I trust your instincts. XoXoXo.

They mean kisses and hugs.

-Faven"

"We have to go to Theo's house," I confirm once I finish reading. "I don't know why, but I can't think of anyone else. I think it's him."

"Who is Theo?"

"I can tell you on the way there. He lives a bit far," I say while looking for a sweater. "It's cold outside. You should bundle up."

"Cold? It's sunny."

I sigh and hand her another coat.

"Take it just in case."

"Alright, grandma."

I dial Theo's number. He sounds surprised on the other end of the line. He doesn't understand why I would be calling him out of the blue today. Despite it all, after a few usual sentences, I inform him that I'm going to his house and bringing someone with me. With the condition that he buys something from the bakery near his home, he accepts our visit.

I can't believe that, for the first time in my life, I'm heading to Theo's house with a girl who's not my girlfriend. I have to clarify that through a message, just in case she says something out of place.

"Hey, what about the letter for the person he liked the most in his life? Do you know who it is?" Dakota asks.

How do I explain it…

We pass by the living room where my sister is typing away on her computer. I click my tongue. I don't even say goodbye to her. Dakota and I leave my house in less time than it takes a rooster to crow.

"It doesn't matter now. I'll deal with it later."

I have to endure rounds of Dakota's questions throughout the whole journey. She talks; she talks a lot. She's never satisfied. Even with the baker who sells us the baguettes, she engages in a conversation. Does her social battery not have an expiration date or what?

Then we're in front of Theo's house. She is the one who dares to ring the doorbell and knock on the door.

"Wow, what's the reason for this unexpected visit, Eron? And you come with company, you bastard," he extends his hand. "I'm Theo."

"Just because I warned you, idiot," I mutter.

"If you already know how I am, don't take risks."

Funny how things can change. Now, it's time to change this atmosphere.